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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED – That the proposed increase in fares outlined in report COPR/29/22 be published in a local newspaper providing at least 14 days for any objections to be submitted in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, following which if no objections are received the increase come into force. If objections are received the matter be referred back to Committee.
RESOLVED – That the Hackney Carriage Vehicle specifications be amended to state that rear loading vehicles are not suitable to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Becca Martin and Beverley Parry-Jones.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 June 2022 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the proposed increase in fares outlined in report COPR/29/22 be published in a local newspaper providing at least 14 days for any objections to be submitted in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, following which if no objections are received the increase come into force. If objections are received the matter be referred back to Committee.
The Chief Officer Planning and Regulatory submitted a report (COPR/29/22) to consider an application by Wrexham Hackney Carriage Association to increase hackney carriage fares and charges. Members considered the report and during debate referred to the following matters in particular: · The last time that Hackney fares and charges were increased was in 2011. · The increase would allow the trade to take into account the recent increase in running costs in particular the increased price of fuel. · A table of the proposed fares would be published in a local newspaper providing at least 14 days for any objections to be submitted. If no objections were received the increased fares would come into effect after the 14 day period has expired. If objections were received the matter would be brought back to Committee for consideration. · Private Hire rates were set by the Operator and were not subject to Committee approval. There was no requirement for Operators to submit their table of fares to the local authority. RESOLVED – That the proposed increase in fares outlined in report COPR/29/22 be published in a local newspaper providing at least 14 days for any objections to be submitted in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, following which if no objections are received the increase come into force. If objections are received the matter be referred back to Committee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the Hackney Carriage Vehicle specifications be amended to state that rear loading vehicles are not suitable to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles.
The Chief Officer Planning & Regulatory submitted a report (COPR/30/22) to consider the responses received to the consultation with hackney carriage licence holders and other stakeholders to identify whether rear loading wheelchair accessible vehicles were suitable for consideration as Hackney Carriage vehicles in Wrexham. Members considered the report and made reference to the following matters: · All current Hackney Carriage vehicles were side loading wheelchair accessible vehicles and Hackney Carriage ranks were designed to allow side access into vehicles from the pavement. · Public safety and concerns about placing passengers in a live traffic carriageway. · Noted that currently no other North Wales licensing authority permitted rear loading wheelchair accessible vehicles to be used as Hackney Carriages. · The opposing view that granting permission for rear loading vehicles to be used as Hackney Carriages would increase the availability of transportation for wheelchair users. · Noted that organisations such as Charriots used rear access vehicles. · Private Hire minibuses were also rear access vehicles. RESOLVED – That the Hackney Carriage Vehicle specifications be amended to state that rear loading vehicles are not suitable to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles.
(i) Future meetings of the Committee The Chair advised that where possible future meetings of the Committee would be held in the Council Chamber. (ii) Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Drivers Referring to a reduction in the number of drivers in some wards in the County Borough it was queried whether there had been an overall reduction across Wrexham in the number of Private Hire/Hackney Carriage drivers since the Covid pandemic. The Officer stated that he would check the current position and report back to the September meeting.
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